BT Sport launches female mentoring programme

 “Athena” will recognise and develop female talent in the pub industry

BT Sport has announced a new mentoring programme to recognise and develop female talent in the pub industry.The programme, “Athena”, is part of a joint initiative between BT Sport, the BII, the ALMR and Inapub and will be officially launched today at the BII Annual Lunch.

The innovative programme, which will run over the course of a year, will see high calibre, senior executives from around the sector impart their knowledge and experience to a future generation of industry leaders. The selected mentees will be paired with a personal mentor and over a series of one-to-one sessions will work with their mentor on pre-defined development areas, unique to each mentee. The combination of advice, support and guidance will enable mentees to channel their talents and encourage professional growth.

With women currently making up only 18% of the major pub company boards, an imbalance which is prevalent throughout the sector, the ultimate objective of the scheme is to help the next generation of talented, driven and dynamic women to reach their full potential within the pub sector.

Mentors who have already signed up to support the programme include Bruce Cuthbert, Director Commercial Customers BT Sport, Ann Elliot, CEO Elliots, Chris Welham, Managing Director Spirit Leased and Stephen Gould, Managing Director, Everards Brewery.

Emma Causer, BT Commercial Account Director who developed the programme, said “This mentoring programme is groundbreaking for females within the sector and will shine a spotlight on the pub industry. We hope it will encourage more highly focused and talented females to progress onto company boards having been mentored by some of the best leaders in the industry.”

Applications to apply for the year-long scheme will open today and places will be limited. Further details can be found here: www.athenamentoring.com

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

The pub industry lags behind industry with circa only 18% females at Executive Board and Main Board level.

BT has funded the development of the programme with BII donating as headline sponsor. Inapub has provided marketing and promotional collateral.